In response to complaints about meal plans, the Northwestern administrators have partnered with select student organizations to create a student taskforce that may propose broad changes to the way that meal plans works at NU.
The Student Meal Plan Working Group, which held its first meeting two weeks ago, includes representatives from Associated Student Government, the Residence Hall Association and the Residential College Board.
Its main priority is to gather data on the popularity of meal plan options and input from the student body to serve as the basis for recommendations to the Housing and Food Service Policy Advisory Committee. Vice President for Student Affairs William Banis will either approve or reject the group’s final proposal.
“It’s been eight years since the (meal plan system has been changed), and we have to assess if it’s meeting students’ needs anymore,” said Rick Thomas, executive director of Norris Center and student auxiliary services, who heads the meal plan committee.
The group plans to utilize past ASG surveys, studying existing inquiries regarding feedback on NU food and food services before interviewing students. They will also observe trends among other universities and their meal plans.
Katie Bradford, head of the student representation for the working group and ASG student life vice president, said the group will begin data research immediately so that proposed changes can be approved and implemented by the next academic year.
“We’re open to students who have anecdotal information,” the McCormick junior said. “If they e-mail me, we can discuss their involvement.”
Most of the complaints against the meal plan system revolve around price, choice and clarity, said Matt Bellassai, ASG public relations vice president.
“One of the main concerns is it’s not always clear what we’re paying for and if it’s worth it,” the Medill junior said.
He said complaints include confusion about the block plans, insufficient options, inconvenient dining hall hours and concerns over cost-effectiveness.
Incoming freshmen are automatically put on the WildCat Weekly 13 meal plan. All students on meal plans can switch their plans once a quarter before a predetermined deadline.
“I think it sucks, especially since you can only go once during each time slot,” said Lezlie Ontiveros , who has the Weekly 13 plan. “You only have 30 points, and I wasted my points in two weeks.” The Weinberg freshman also said the food is sometimes greasy and unhealthy.
Like Ontiveros, Medill freshman Janice Janeczko said she is dissatisfied with her Weekly 13 plan.
“I feel like I waste $20 to $30 a week because I’m in class during the times they have breakfast or lunch,” Janeczko said. “Dinner is far too early. Then I’m hungry again around 9 or 10 p.m., and I eat late at night, which is not good for your metabolism. The dining hall hours is contributing to the freshman 15.”
Not all students are dissatisfied with their meal plans, though. Weinberg freshman Amanda Gering said 13 meals a week are perfect for her because she isn’t rigid about a three-meal-a-day schedule.
Weinberg sophomore Dan Sloan is a meal plan moderate. A subscriber to the Weekly 13, he enjoys having points to spend at Norris but dislikes the selection of food.
“I find myself eating the same things over and over,” Sloan said. “I find myself bored by the repetition of it.”
